New to Lugers... Need some guidance

boom23 · 12-23-2010, 09:01 AM

Hi all,

I own several new handguns and I am looking into buying my first WWII Luger. I bought a Luger book and I am reading it but I need some help with my first purchase...

I would like to buy something that is very nice original and that I can shoot sometimes. I think I would prefer a complete rig.

I am looking into this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=207061117.
What can you tell me about it?

Anything else I should look at the same price range?

Thank you and Happy Holidays.

sheepherder · 12-23-2010, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boom23

I am looking into this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=207061117.

Wow!!! $4100?!?! Way out of my interest range...Nice looking, but if I paid that much for it, it would be a safe queen...

OK, pessimistic nitpick time!!!

The font on the chamber date is quite different from my 1937 S/42...more squared off on the corners...

...and I don't see much or any tool marks anywhere...especially in the frame ear areas...

I don't know enough to yell "fake!" (or "refinished!"), but I would certainly check with the real experts here to get their opinions before shelling out $4100...

Edit: Here's my chamber date for comparison...

FNorm · 12-23-2010, 09:28 AM

1936 are considered to be among the best finished lugers. This one seems to have the million dollar chip. Right under the safety. Looks like it has been reglued????

The chamber date on my 1936 'M" block matches this one.

Good looking piece, but not for that price..... Check around, see some other sites

FN

Norme · 12-23-2010, 09:29 AM

Hi Theo, Welcome to the forum. I'd stay away from this rig. The small parts have been re-strawed and the "matching magazine" is an armorer's replacement. You might try looking at Simpson Ltd's web site, they have many 1936 S/42s listed. They are not cheap, but their catalog descriptions are very reliable. Regards, Norm

DavidJayUden · 12-23-2010, 09:31 AM

That one makes me nervous too.
No suffix on the mag, MAYBE a bit of rounding on the edges of the rear toggle link and front of the frame suggesting re-finish. I dunno, it looks very nice, MAYBE too nice, but ABSOLUTELY too nice to shoot. It will go from $4k to $1k the second some minor numbered part decides to break.
You should be able to find an honest rig for half that money if you are patient. Then the decision to risk damage by shooting it will again rear its head.
Welcome aboard and keep us posted.
dju

sheepherder · 12-23-2010, 09:36 AM

Norm/David - I'm a washout at Searching...Is there a pictorial comparison of chamber date fonts somewhere here (or on Jan's site)???

rivieraranch · 12-23-2010, 10:46 AM

For $4,000.00 you could get a collectible rig that you don't shoot and a shooter that you can knock around.

Norme · 12-23-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

Norm/David - I'm a washout at Searching...Is there a pictorial comparison of chamber date fonts somewhere here (or on Jan's site)???

Hi Rich, Does this help? Regards, Norm

sheepherder · 12-23-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norme

Hi Rich, Does this help? Regards, Norm

Norm - I was thinking of a side-by-side comparison of the various year dates...

Do you think the OP's 1936 Luger date font looks like yours???

Norme · 12-23-2010, 12:07 PM

Hi Rich, I don't have a problem with the chamber date, and as far as I can tell the bluing seems original. As I stated earlier, the straw has been redone and the mag is not original (it should look like my photo). That is enough reason to avoid this gun, in my opinion. Regards, Norm

newluger · 12-23-2010, 12:10 PM

Welcome to the Forum. You need to have the real experts look at this one. The left grip doesn't look right. That's a lot of money to pay for a shooter, and I noticed that there is very little or no information about this in the description. I think I'd keep walking on this one.

Newluger

boom23 · 12-23-2010, 12:18 PM

Wow!!! So much knowledge in this forum. Thank you!

I am so glad I asked... I guess, I have to keep looking.

Do you know of any reputable shops that have decent prices?

Any good WWII Lugers that I should look at?

Don M · 12-23-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by postino

Is there a pictorial comparison of chamber date fonts somewhere here (or on Jan's site)???

Jan Still's books have photos of all the dates, I think.

DavidJayUden · 12-23-2010, 02:00 PM

Are you set on WW2 guns? There was a very nice WW1 gun listed here recently that seems like a steal by comparison.
dju

Norme · 12-23-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boom23

Do you know of any reputable shops that have decent prices?

Any good WWII Lugers that I should look at?

Hi Rich, You might check out this newly listed rig. Good luck! Norm

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...4114382145abe6

boom23 · 12-23-2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidJayUden

Are you set on WW2 guns? There was a very nice WW1 gun listed here recently that seems like a steal by comparison.
dju

I am more fascinated with WWII but I'll look at a WWI Luger. Is it in the For Sale portion of the forum?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norme

Hi Rich, You might check out this newly listed rig. Good luck! Norm

http://www.simpsonltd.com/product_in...4114382145abe6

That looks really nice! I hope the seller has no surprises.

Karl · 12-23-2010, 04:23 PM

Theo,

Regarding your earlier post, "reputable shops that have decent prices" is kind of an oxymoron. You will pay a premium for a Luger purchased from any dealer - some more than others. However, among the dealers I have had personal experience with, I suggest that you look at the offerings at Checkpoint Charlie's. He often has entry-level collector lugers. KFS

boom23 · 12-23-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karl

Theo,

Regarding your earlier post, "reputable shops that have decent prices" is kind of an oxymoron. You will pay a premium for a Luger purchased from any dealer - some more than others. However, among the dealers I have had personal experience with, I suggest that you look at the offerings at Checkpoint Charlie's. He often has entry-level collector lugers. KFS

I have been communicating with him but I still have to get detailed descriptions, or better pics, from him...

I am particuraly interested in this one: http://www.checkpointcharlies.com/sh...8&categoryid=9.

Even considering that I am starting to learn Lugers, his description is very short...

By the way, you are right about the oxymoron... I can hope, I guess...

DavidJayUden · 12-23-2010, 05:01 PM

"I am more fascinated with WWII but I'll look at a WWI Luger. Is it in the For Sale portion of the forum?"

Take a look at this one. I'd buy it myself but we are about $100 apart.
http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=24985
To me there is a bit more quality of finish on the DWM guns, but that is entirely MHO.
Merry Christmas.
dju

tharpo · 12-23-2010, 05:15 PM

Theo,
A buyer must be very careful when the term "matching magazine" is in the description. Just because the numbers may match it doesn't mean the magazine is original to the gun. Many of the internet sellers will list a re-stamped magazine as matching while they still charge a big premium in the price.

Tom

12-23-2010, 09:01 AM	#1
boom23 User Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New to Lugers... Need some guidance Hi all, I own several new handguns and I am looking into buying my first WWII Luger. I bought a Luger book and I am reading it but I need some help with my first purchase... I would like to buy something that is very nice original and that I can shoot sometimes. I think I would prefer a complete rig. I am looking into this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=207061117. What can you tell me about it? Anything else I should look at the same price range? Thank you and Happy Holidays.

12-23-2010, 09:28 AM	#3
FNorm Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 978 Thanks: 68 Thanked 127 Times in 108 Posts	1936 are considered to be among the best finished lugers. This one seems to have the million dollar chip. Right under the safety. Looks like it has been reglued???? The chamber date on my 1936 'M" block matches this one. Good looking piece, but not for that price..... Check around, see some other sites FN Last edited by FNorm; 12-23-2010 at 09:38 AM. Reason: add

12-23-2010, 09:36 AM	#6
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,182 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,440 Times in 2,328 Posts	Norm/David - I'm a washout at Searching...Is there a pictorial comparison of chamber date fonts somewhere here (or on Jan's site)??? __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

12-23-2010, 12:07 PM	#10
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,415 Thanks: 225 Thanked 2,594 Times in 931 Posts	Hi Rich, I don't have a problem with the chamber date, and as far as I can tell the bluing seems original. As I stated earlier, the straw has been redone and the mag is not original (it should look like my photo). That is enough reason to avoid this gun, in my opinion. Regards, Norm Attached Thumbnails

12-23-2010, 09:29 AM	#4
Norme Always A Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,415 Thanks: 225 Thanked 2,594 Times in 931 Posts	Hi Theo, Welcome to the forum. I'd stay away from this rig. The small parts have been re-strawed and the "matching magazine" is an armorer's replacement. You might try looking at Simpson Ltd's web site, they have many 1936 S/42s listed. They are not cheap, but their catalog descriptions are very reliable. Regards, Norm

12-23-2010, 09:31 AM	#5
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	That one makes me nervous too. No suffix on the mag, MAYBE a bit of rounding on the edges of the rear toggle link and front of the frame suggesting re-finish. I dunno, it looks very nice, MAYBE too nice, but ABSOLUTELY too nice to shoot. It will go from $4k to $1k the second some minor numbered part decides to break. You should be able to find an honest rig for half that money if you are patient. Then the decision to risk damage by shooting it will again rear its head. Welcome aboard and keep us posted. dju

12-23-2010, 10:46 AM	#7
rivieraranch User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 101 Thanks: 4 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	For $4,000.00 you could get a collectible rig that you don't shoot and a shooter that you can knock around.

12-23-2010, 12:10 PM	#11
newluger User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Franklin Tennessee Posts: 119 Thanks: 22 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	Welcome to the Forum. You need to have the real experts look at this one. The left grip doesn't look right. That's a lot of money to pay for a shooter, and I noticed that there is very little or no information about this in the description. I think I'd keep walking on this one. Newluger

12-23-2010, 12:18 PM	#12
boom23 User Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 7 Thanks: 9 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wow!!! So much knowledge in this forum. Thank you! I am so glad I asked... I guess, I have to keep looking. Do you know of any reputable shops that have decent prices? Any good WWII Lugers that I should look at?

12-23-2010, 02:00 PM	#14
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	Are you set on WW2 guns? There was a very nice WW1 gun listed here recently that seems like a steal by comparison. dju

12-23-2010, 04:23 PM	#17
Karl Lifer - Twice Over Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Savannah Posts: 515 Thanks: 0 Thanked 253 Times in 112 Posts	Theo, Regarding your earlier post, "reputable shops that have decent prices" is kind of an oxymoron. You will pay a premium for a Luger purchased from any dealer - some more than others. However, among the dealers I have had personal experience with, I suggest that you look at the offerings at Checkpoint Charlie's. He often has entry-level collector lugers. KFS

12-23-2010, 05:01 PM	#19
DavidJayUden Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 4,047 Thanks: 578 Thanked 1,414 Times in 887 Posts	"I am more fascinated with WWII but I'll look at a WWI Luger. Is it in the For Sale portion of the forum?" Take a look at this one. I'd buy it myself but we are about $100 apart. http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthread.php?t=24985 To me there is a bit more quality of finish on the DWM guns, but that is entirely MHO. Merry Christmas. dju

12-23-2010, 05:15 PM	#20
tharpo Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Coast, USA Posts: 537 Thanks: 116 Thanked 376 Times in 154 Posts	Theo, A buyer must be very careful when the term "matching magazine" is in the description. Just because the numbers may match it doesn't mean the magazine is original to the gun. Many of the internet sellers will list a re-stamped magazine as matching while they still charge a big premium in the price. Tom